Mission Taiwan » Rachel

John Wang

Rachel — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:57:25 +0000

Tonight was my first day back to teaching after having 2 weeks off during which I traveled to Japan and China. The trip was really amazing. Some of the highlites include climbing Mt. Fuji, walking on the Great Wall, and riding some camels! Earlier today I struggled with motivation to get back into teacher mode, but upon arriving home afterwords I find myself greatly encouraged after a fun night of teaching. My favorite part was my private lesson that I had before heading to my school. Every monday I teach a man named John Wang in conversation English, so basically we just chat. I started teaching his daughter last fall, and that is how I was asked to help him with his English, and so I have the last 6 months or so, one hour a week on Monday nights. I really enjoy him and his daughter. Tonight was a great example of a typical “class” in which we discussed what he thinks I should look for in a guy. Some of his suggestions included finding someone that is from the same geographical location as I grew up in, Minnesota being the best, but Midwest would work as well. His age should be within 4-10 years, but no less than 4 and no more than 10. He should not be my co-worker, and he should not be a classmate. I should take a look at his friends because they are a “mirror” of him. He should have a stable job, and be open minded. I really liked how he also stressed that humor is very important. According to him “lots of humor equals best romantic, but little humor equals no romantic.” His last point included making sure that he enjoys cooking. Haha, the hour flew by as we talked and laughed about this subject. That’s when I realized, not for the first time, that although teaching english has been a challenging and growing experience (As Eric has talked about), it also has had some pretty sweet perks at times, such as John. Next week, instead of class, he is going to treat me to dinner with his wife and daughter.. not too shabby

Thoughts of a fellow missionary

Rachel — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:16:06 +0000

This short letter was included in a Newsletter update sent out from our Strategy Coordinators (Mike and Carolyn). I really liked what D shares. I definitely identify with the thoughts and heart behind her words. D serves with her husband as Strategy Coordinators with the Hakka Harvest ministry here in Taiwan. The Hakka number around 3 million on the island and are even more unreached than the Hokkien.

I had a beautiful opportunity to give glory to God before a small crowd this morning while buying pineapple from the back of a pick-up truck. Faces peered at me expectantly from under bamboo hats while plying me with curious questions. But their questions caught me off guard, and I thought of what to say only after I’d left.

That happens so often.

I’m not particularly good at what I do. I don’t have any great skills or abilities that make me an effective missionary. But at night I hear God’s heartbeat for children that He longs to embrace. At sunrise, I pray for hurting, hopeless crowds of people who are trapped by fear. At daylight, I’m compelled by His Spirit to be a living message of the mercy and freedom He is offering.

Please pray for missionaries. We are not heroes. We are weak people, speaking and sharing from the simple conviction that God is faithfully drawing nations to Himself. Powerfully. Beautifully. Today.

Love,

All but Consumed

Rachel — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:28:15 +0000

Rachel shares how God is working on her heart! Enjoy!

Allien

Rachel — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:38:26 +0000

Today was Julie and I’s Chinese teacher’s birthday. The first term (3 months) of Chinese we had 2 different teachers, but then when we started our second term of study we specifically requested only one of those. Not that we didn’t like them both, but we really got along with and really learned better from the teaching style of the one. Her English name is “Allien”, and she has found a special place in our hearts. She used to teach another man from our Ministry team here and was presented with the gospel by him. She told him then and continues to say that she is just not ready to become a Christian and that she can’t say whether she knows the Bible is true or not true. Julie and I are believing that she will come to know the Lord though, she already has such an amazing heart and spirit. We continue to pray for her all the time and gave her a New Testament Chinese/English Bible for Christmas. She has been such a blessing in our lives. Please keep her in your prayers! Here are a couple pictures of her and us in class.

Simply Irresistable

Rachel — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 04:28:48 +0000

Just this past friday Julie and I started our first seeker study with Eva, Mink and 3 of their classmates. We met Eva at the University English club event we attended a couple months ago (See: A day with University students) Ever since then we have have enjoyed getting to know her and her friend Mink. We asked them if they would be interested in learning about the Bible more and they both said yes and also asked some of their classmates to join in. This last friday we met for the first time at their University NKFUST in Nanzih about 45 minutes away. We went through the story of creation. It was very encouraging to see their interest and to hear their questions and insight. As we continue to meet with them please keep these girls in your prayers, that a relationship with their beautiful creator becomes simply irresistable.